Down through the ages, it seems that God’s people, have become very good at picking and choosing.

What we see today, is actually not new; it’s just on a grander scale than it once was; at least in our time.

Surely we can agree, that there has often been a lot of showing partiality and respect of persons among our groups; among our churches. Since so many of us were taught that we must be obedient and not question authority, we didn’t.

But we knew It takes a big person to admit that we tried too often to be a part of that system. Giving honor to whom honor was due, was scriptural. We won’t argue, that some were getting more honor than others.

We once enacted the belief that the ones who cleaned the church, were equal to everyone else, just as important as anyone else in the Kingdom of God. Being in order, never meant that we were to give most all authority to one person, or just a certain few.

The word judgment, is a word that so many wish and choose to avoid today. It does not matter that it was used so many times in the sacred texts. It seemed that God used this action quite often when dealing with human beings; especially, many of those who were supposed to be His people. No one wants God to bring such judgment; not if you have any real heart or love for other people.

God is going to be a swift witness against people of our hour. He said He would. And, whether we uphold such teachings or not now, He is going to be a witness against those who are in the house of the Lord. Why?

He said so. It’s easy for us to go through the list of people God spoke through Malachi about. Sorcerers, adulterers, those falsely swearing against those who oppress the hireling in his wage, the widow and the fatherless. And all those who do not fear Him.

If we’re honest, most of us were taught, whether in school or by the church, that we should read and take everything in context. In so many words, don’t just pick out a few comments and leave the rest.

This chapter, is where most get their Biblical information about the paying of tithes and offerings. But too often, they don’t think to give as much authority to the rest of the Old Testament; especially when it might pertain to them.

What was God saying above these verses? What was He talking about? What was His witness against them?

The LORD of Hosts said, “For I AM the LORD, I change not.” And by the way, where have the tithes and offerings gone?

There is not really any question as to where some of it went. Airplanes, fine cars, big houses, fine clothes and even bigger and much more impressive buildings. There’s been so much “kingdom building,” but not for the Kingdom of God.

Throughout time, people seem always to become careless and somewhat arrogant when God does not bring such judgment upon them, for what He deems as absolute wickedness.

We sometimes think about the judgment bar; the one we are all going to stand before, one day. But here, God was talking about us and our time, now. Otherwise, He would not have continued this message in such a way. “Return unto me, and I will return unto you.”

Then come the rest of the promises. He said we have not just robbed Him, but the whole nation; those who once came to us for help and salvation.

What have we given our people in return? A swift witness? What kind of witness, will He be towards me today?

 

~ Robert Blackburn

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Robert Blackburn

 

 

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